Dell G15 5515 upgrade guide: RAM, storage and CPU

Updated Oct. 27, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The Dell G15 5515 (also sold as the G5 15 5515 and G15 5515 Ryzen Edition, regulatory model P105F) is friendlier to upgrade than many gaming laptops. There is no soldered memory, there are two M.2 slots, and everything you can reach sits under the bottom cover. One thing to clear up first: this guide is for the AMD Ryzen version, the 5515. The Intel machine is the G15 5511, a different laptop with different parts, so check your model number before buying anything.

At a glance

  • 2 memory slots, officially up to 32 GB of DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM RAM
  • 2 M.2 NVMe slots for 2230 or 2280 SSDs (single-sided drives only)
  • CPU is soldered and cannot be upgraded
  • No 2.5-inch bay, no SATA M.2 support and no card reader
2x DDR4 SO-DIMM, up to 32GB (64GB unofficial)2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM · up to 32 GB total · 3200 MT/s
2x M.2 2230/2280 NVMe Gen3 x4 slots2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2.048 TB
2 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 32 GB total2x M.2 2230/2280 NVMe Gen3 x4 slots2 × SSD M.2 2230 / M.2 2280 (NVMe) · up to 2.048 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

2021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · April 30, 2021
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 April 30, 2021 Estimate First sale anywhere (China); global availability followed on 2021-05-04 at $899.99, same source
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

Memory (RAM)

Your G15 5515 has two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots, and neither is soldered to the board, so whatever memory you have now can be swapped out. Both slots sit under the bottom cover and are described as user-accessible.

What fits: DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM modules at 1.2 V, non-ECC and unbuffered. If you buy faster memory, such as DDR4-3600, it won't hurt anything — it will simply run at 3200 MT/s. ECC or registered server memory is not supported.

The limit: Dell officially supports up to 2 x 16 GB, so 32 GB total. There is a catch worth knowing about. A third-party teardown reports 2 x 32 GB (64 GB) working, because the Ryzen 5000 memory controller can address 32 GB modules. Dell has not validated that configuration, so it is unofficial. If you want to try 64 GB, buy from a seller with a good return policy and be ready to test it.

Buying tips: buy matched pairs (2 x 8 GB or 2 x 16 GB) so the system runs in dual-channel mode. Mixed sizes, like 4 GB + 8 GB, work but drop into flex mode and lose some bandwidth. Look for CL22 DDR4-3200 1.2 V SO-DIMMs — that is the standard spec this machine expects.

Buying tips

  • Matched pairs for dual-channel: 2 x 8 GB or 2 x 16 GB
  • DDR4-3200, 1.2 V, CL22, non-ECC unbuffered SO-DIMM
  • Trying 64 GB (2 x 32 GB)? Check the return policy — Dell hasn't validated it

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

Storage (SSD)

There are two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs. Both accept either the short 2230 length or the full 2280 length, but the mounting bracket is length-specific, so a 2230 drive needs a 2230 bracket and a 2280 drive needs a 2280 bracket. The drives must also be single-sided — double-sided M.2 SSDs may not fit under the bracket. The interface is PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe (M-key).

Capacity: Dell lists 1 TB as the maximum for a 2230 drive and 2 TB for a 2280 drive. Kingston, meanwhile, sells 2280 drives up to 4 TB as compatible upgrades for this model. So a 4 TB drive is a reasonable bet, but it is beyond Dell's stated limit — again, check the return policy.

Watch out for the second slot. The M.2 connector is physically present on the board, but Dell says that if your laptop shipped with only one solid-state drive, an additional drive is not supported. In practice that usually means the second slot has no bracket and screw. Open the case and look before you buy a second SSD.

What isn't here: no SATA M.2 support, no 2.5-inch bay and no SD or microSD card reader. There is also an M.2 2230 slot for the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card, which is a separate thing and not for storage.

Buying tips

  • NVMe M.2 2230 or 2280, PCIe Gen3 x4, single-sided only
  • Match the bracket length: 2230 to 2230, 2280 to 2280
  • Adding a second drive? Confirm the bracket and screw are present first

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your data before opening the case.
  • Shut the laptop down fully and unplug the charger.
  • Ground yourself and use ESD protection — this chassis needs it.
  • Open the bottom cover to reach the memory and SSD slots. Dell's manuals cover the exact disassembly for your configuration, so follow the owner's manual for screw locations and order.
  • Install the new part, then close everything up.
  • Power on and check that the BIOS and firmware see the new memory or drive. Dell also publishes a video on replacing the M.2 2280 solid-state drive in this family of laptops, which is handy for seeing the drive and bracket handling.

Steps

  1. Step 1 — Back up your data
    Save anything important before you touch the hardware.
  2. Step 2 — Power off and unplug
    Shut the laptop down and disconnect the charger.
  3. Step 3 — Ground yourself
    Use ESD protection and work on a non-conductive surface.
  4. Step 4 — Open the case
    Remove the bottom cover to reach the memory and SSD slots. Follow the owner's manual for your exact model and configuration.
  5. Step 5 — Install the part
    Fit the SO-DIMM module in its slot, or seat the M.2 drive with the bracket that matches its length.
  6. Step 6 — Close up
    Replace the bottom cover as the manual describes.
  7. Step 7 — Check the BIOS
    Boot and confirm the BIOS or firmware reports the new memory size or drive.

Good to know

  • The specifications in this guide apply to the Dell G15 5515 / G5 15 5515 (regulatory model P105F). The Intel G15 5511 is a different machine.
  • Where Dell and other sources disagree — 32 GB versus 64 GB of RAM, and 2 TB versus 4 TB SSDs — Dell's figures are the officially supported limits and the larger figures are unofficial.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Dell G15 5515 take?

Officially 32 GB, as 2 x 16 GB DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM modules. A third-party teardown reports 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) working, but Dell has not validated that, so treat it as unofficial and check your return policy.

Does the G15 5515 support 64 GB of RAM?

It may work in practice. The Ryzen 5000 memory controller can address 32 GB modules, and one teardown confirms 2 x 32 GB boots and runs. Dell's official spec tops out at 32 GB, so 64 GB is not guaranteed.

Can I add a second SSD to the G15 5515?

The board has two M.2 slots, but if your unit shipped with one drive, Dell says an additional drive is not supported — the second slot usually lacks the bracket and screw. Check inside the case before buying a second SSD.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the Dell G15 5515?

No. The Ryzen 5 5600H and Ryzen 7 5800H are soldered to the motherboard, so there is no socket and no CPU upgrade path.

Does the G15 5515 support SATA drives or a 2.5-inch hard drive?

No. Storage is limited to M.2 NVMe SSDs (2230 or 2280, single-sided). There is no 2.5-inch bay and no SATA M.2 support.

Does the G15 5515 have a card reader?

No SD or microSD card reader is listed. Plan on a USB reader if you need one.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.